Sunday, August 29, 2010
Kayak Stacked
The Yakima kayak stacker system is an amazingly simple concept that results in the boat feeling like it is part of the car/rack system. Time to put the "yak" on the car, less than ten minutes, bolted down and solid as a rock.
Sea Trials
It was a good Sunday, we watched the Belgium Grand Prix, drank coffee and stuffed ourselves with toast.
Boat, as we have called the Tarpon 130T, was loaded on the car roof again, driven down to Gibsons Marina, dropped in the water and with little fuss or "faffing about" we kitted up and went off on our first sea trial, a short run to Armours Beach.
The photo shows the launch point A and we followed the alphabetical route to E, where we had our first vessel circumnavigation, fittingly, this was around a sailboat called Irma that we had looked at last year, around the time when we abandoned the idea of having a "real" boat.
Armours beach was our destination at E, then we retraced our steps back to C, went into the area around G and paddled around the GLHA marina for twenty minutes. Then, reluctantly, but tired, we paddled back to A and took the Tarpon out of the water and loaded it back on the car in less than twenty minutes.
A short trip home, a quick wash (boat and people) and we walked the long way around to the Blackfish pub for a well deserved pint or two.
I can assure you, we will sleep well tonight.
Where : Gibsons Marina to Armours Beach
When : August 29th, 2010
Boat, as we have called the Tarpon 130T, was loaded on the car roof again, driven down to Gibsons Marina, dropped in the water and with little fuss or "faffing about" we kitted up and went off on our first sea trial, a short run to Armours Beach.
The photo shows the launch point A and we followed the alphabetical route to E, where we had our first vessel circumnavigation, fittingly, this was around a sailboat called Irma that we had looked at last year, around the time when we abandoned the idea of having a "real" boat.
Armours beach was our destination at E, then we retraced our steps back to C, went into the area around G and paddled around the GLHA marina for twenty minutes. Then, reluctantly, but tired, we paddled back to A and took the Tarpon out of the water and loaded it back on the car in less than twenty minutes.
A short trip home, a quick wash (boat and people) and we walked the long way around to the Blackfish pub for a well deserved pint or two.
I can assure you, we will sleep well tonight.
Where : Gibsons Marina to Armours Beach
When : August 29th, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Boat
Today the pair of us stood proudly on our driveway and flicked beer at the stern of the craft that we have named "Boat" on top of our car.
This is a new Wilderness Systems "Tarpon 130T" which is a thirteen foot long, sit on top, tandem kayak. It feels big but weighs a mere sixty-five pounds, apparently unsinkable with plenty of storage, backrests and cup holders.
Where : On top of the Acura
When : August 28th, 2010
This is a new Wilderness Systems "Tarpon 130T" which is a thirteen foot long, sit on top, tandem kayak. It feels big but weighs a mere sixty-five pounds, apparently unsinkable with plenty of storage, backrests and cup holders.
Where : On top of the Acura
When : August 28th, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Ride a white Swan
I uploaded pictures from my phone and one was the white "mute" swan from Bowen Island that I think I mentioned, here she is, appeared quite tame and the theory on the island was that it was probably someones pet.
Where : Bowen Island, "The Lagoon"
When : A month ago
Where : Bowen Island, "The Lagoon"
When : A month ago
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Boat Race
On the ferry back from Vancouver today we overtook the Holland America line cruise ship Volendam, they parked up in Howe Sound for half an hour as the ferry passed towards Langdale. We arrived home in time to see the ship from our living room as it passed through the gap between Keats and the Popham islands.
According to their schedule, the lucky passengers are off for a seven day cruise of the Alaska inside passage.
Where : Howe Sound
When : August 25th, 2010
According to their schedule, the lucky passengers are off for a seven day cruise of the Alaska inside passage.
Where : Howe Sound
When : August 25th, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Clipper
This is a 31' four man (or woman) Clipper OC-4 Outrigger Canoe, one of four owned by Gibsons Paddle Club. The club also owns four six man outriggers and some two and one man outrigger canoes.
Tuesday Paddle
Today, Karen went out in a four man outrigger with the paddle club, left me to my own devices.
They went over to Plumper Cove by Keats Island and went swimming, Karen dunked herself fully in the Pacific and spent fifteen minutes in the water. I went off for a bicycle ride and joined them all for coffee a few hours later.
Coleen, Judith, Karen and the steers person, Kathleen.
Where : Gibsons Marina
When : August 24th, 2010
They went over to Plumper Cove by Keats Island and went swimming, Karen dunked herself fully in the Pacific and spent fifteen minutes in the water. I went off for a bicycle ride and joined them all for coffee a few hours later.
Coleen, Judith, Karen and the steers person, Kathleen.
Where : Gibsons Marina
When : August 24th, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Good Life
It's that time again and even though we've had a dry month the blackberries are ready all over the place, as usual I went picking the first time with my shorts and sandals on, attire that is not rightly suited for the picking thereof.
Where : Not telling, find them yourself
When : August 23rd, 2010
Where : Not telling, find them yourself
When : August 23rd, 2010
Acura RSX Yakima Rack with Stretch Kit
The Yakima basic rack is complete and installed, I'm impressed with how solid the system is and how well it fits on the car. I'll describe it in more detail as I had some trouble searching out the information for an Acura RSX on the old interweb.
Yakima 48" long, round crossbars with endcaps.
Q-Towers with 4 matched SKS lock inserts.
Q83 Clips and A-Pads.
Stretch Kit.
The stretch kit allows a 28" rack bar spread (without the kit it would be 14" on this vehicle) the Q-clips are custom for various car models. The actual selling price in Vancouver for this arrangement including taxes is $695 but I sourced most parts through craigslist, the only thing I bought new being the Q83 clips. The total price worked out to be around $210
Two more items are on their way from my eBay dealings, Yakima Kayak stackers and a 44" fairing.
Yakima 48" long, round crossbars with endcaps.
Q-Towers with 4 matched SKS lock inserts.
Q83 Clips and A-Pads.
Stretch Kit.
The stretch kit allows a 28" rack bar spread (without the kit it would be 14" on this vehicle) the Q-clips are custom for various car models. The actual selling price in Vancouver for this arrangement including taxes is $695 but I sourced most parts through craigslist, the only thing I bought new being the Q83 clips. The total price worked out to be around $210
Two more items are on their way from my eBay dealings, Yakima Kayak stackers and a 44" fairing.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Hoser
Take kayak and place upright, fill kayak with water, watch kayak, empty kayak, rinse, repeat...
Today, the word hoser evokes a stereotypical Canadian male, typically lower to middle class, white and English Canadian. He is especially concerned with drinking beer and watching hockey or curling. The hoser is understood as a product of a poor and white upbringing, but never from a more cosmopolitan lifestyle, he is more likely to come from a small town or a rural farm community than a big city, although hosers may also exist in the suburbs of major cities.
Today, the word hoser evokes a stereotypical Canadian male, typically lower to middle class, white and English Canadian. He is especially concerned with drinking beer and watching hockey or curling. The hoser is understood as a product of a poor and white upbringing, but never from a more cosmopolitan lifestyle, he is more likely to come from a small town or a rural farm community than a big city, although hosers may also exist in the suburbs of major cities.
Inside out
After banging my head on the hatchback of the car on Friday I thought it was very reasonable to fill the Kayak up with water, yes, I know it is supposed to be on the other side.
The water test, I'm sure a few people drove past today and thought that we were a tad insane, just testing to see if we had any leaks, fortunately not.
Where : The front lawn marina
When : August 22nd, 2010
The water test, I'm sure a few people drove past today and thought that we were a tad insane, just testing to see if we had any leaks, fortunately not.
Where : The front lawn marina
When : August 22nd, 2010
Lady in the short Grass
Karen decided to go "all medieval" on the butterfly bush next to our driveway today, at one point I even brought my heavy maul out to chop a root, but the effort to get this monster out was all hers.
Activities like this always lead to drinking beer.
Where : Creekside, Gibsons
When : August 22nd, 2010
Activities like this always lead to drinking beer.
Where : Creekside, Gibsons
When : August 22nd, 2010
Lady in the long Grass
The dry weather is continuing and the deer are everywhere, this young lady took a good look at the two strange humans walking down to Gramma's pub at the waterfront.
We take it for granted that we can turn on a tap or pop down to the pub "for a cold one" while the animals constantly have to search for fresh water or greenery.
Where : Hopkins Landing, Gibsons
When : August, 2010
We take it for granted that we can turn on a tap or pop down to the pub "for a cold one" while the animals constantly have to search for fresh water or greenery.
Where : Hopkins Landing, Gibsons
When : August, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Sea Lion
Captains Log, Friday, August 20th, 2010
The classic styling of the sixteen foot Nimbus "Sea Lion" sea kayak, resplendent on our driveway, even though I didn't have the essential Q83 clips for the Yakima roof rack I managed to ferry it home, the boat was stuffed into the back of the RSX with the hatchback propped up, adding to the ever increasing list of huge things we've had in the Acura.
It's a slight project boat, already floats and only issue is aesthetic. I'll track it's progress, both out and in the water, here on the blog.
Where : The driveway
The classic styling of the sixteen foot Nimbus "Sea Lion" sea kayak, resplendent on our driveway, even though I didn't have the essential Q83 clips for the Yakima roof rack I managed to ferry it home, the boat was stuffed into the back of the RSX with the hatchback propped up, adding to the ever increasing list of huge things we've had in the Acura.
It's a slight project boat, already floats and only issue is aesthetic. I'll track it's progress, both out and in the water, here on the blog.
Where : The driveway
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Cuda
The Barracuda A2Z is over fifteen years old now, bought on a whim in the middle of the 1990s the bike has seen little action. However, in the last two months I've been out on it once or twice a week, nipping out to the shops or just twiddling around.
It has twenty-one gears, but I only use one.
Latest addition, besides my bike clips, is the Italian aluminum rear carrier, and CCM nylon bag. Essential for all those useless nick-nacks I buy at the thrift store. I think I'll pop up there now as I saw a nice kickstand that might just fit the old rattler.
Where : Behind the Creekside bikesheds, Gibsons
When : August 19th, 2010
It has twenty-one gears, but I only use one.
Latest addition, besides my bike clips, is the Italian aluminum rear carrier, and CCM nylon bag. Essential for all those useless nick-nacks I buy at the thrift store. I think I'll pop up there now as I saw a nice kickstand that might just fit the old rattler.
Where : Behind the Creekside bikesheds, Gibsons
When : August 19th, 2010
Give Peas a chance
Yesterday, on our Wednesday (long way around) journey to the IGA supermarket we happened upon a group of Peacocks and Peahens that had wandered over the road to the house that is currently for sale on Reed Road.
The male was off like a shot as soon as he saw I had a camera, but this lady dawdling at the back, allowed me to take a photo as she joined to rest of the foraging group.
Where : Reed Road, Gibsons
When : August 18th, 2010
The male was off like a shot as soon as he saw I had a camera, but this lady dawdling at the back, allowed me to take a photo as she joined to rest of the foraging group.
Where : Reed Road, Gibsons
When : August 18th, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Paddling around Preston
Today we went out in a four man outrigger canoe with Gibsons Paddle Club, started at Gibsons Marina (A) and across the gap to Salmon Rock or Home Island (B) and then onward to Preston Island (C) where the Weldons had their first island circumnavigation ever. There were families of seals, mothers and babies and wildlife of some sort or another everywhere.
To break the monotony of the day we stopped at a small cove (D) and went for a twenty minute swim, it was refreshing and absolutely magical. The journey back to the marina was far too short, we could have been out there for a few more hours although before we get too confident, let's see what our shoulders feel like tomorrow...
Where : Preston Island, BC
When : August 17th, 2010
http://www.gibsonspaddleclub.ca
To break the monotony of the day we stopped at a small cove (D) and went for a twenty minute swim, it was refreshing and absolutely magical. The journey back to the marina was far too short, we could have been out there for a few more hours although before we get too confident, let's see what our shoulders feel like tomorrow...
Where : Preston Island, BC
When : August 17th, 2010
http://www.gibsonspaddleclub.ca
Monday, August 16, 2010
Kayak Rack
The last week has been full of wheeler dealing on eBay and Craigslist, we took a trip into Vancouver on Thursday with the car and picked up some Yakima Q-Towers, 48" bars and a stretch kit. I'm just waiting on the Q-Clips from the USA to complete the assembly. Today in the baking heat I decided to do a test fitting and see what the RSX is going to look like, add some clips, a fairing and kayak cradles or a vertical stacker and we'll be good to go.
Oh, and we'll need a kayak as well I suppose...
Where : Creekside Crescent, Gibsons
When : August 16th, 2010
Oh, and we'll need a kayak as well I suppose...
Where : Creekside Crescent, Gibsons
When : August 16th, 2010
Sweet Sixteen
Young Ben celebrated his sixteenth birthday in July, he's been a lot healthier this year with his medication and diet change, sleeps like a cat should and is less frenetic about the house. I'll try and capture a picture of the other scoundrel, Bill, in the coming weeks.
Where : The Couch
When : August 15th, 2010
Where : The Couch
When : August 15th, 2010
Bambi
Later on during the walk home up Winn and along Abbs road we spotted a mother and two fawns, almost elusive I managed to grab a photo of the second baby before they all scarpered.
There have been a lot of deer about this year, a week later we watched as a mother and baby strolled lazily around our back yard, stopping at various plants to take a nibble. It appears that the hot weather is drawing them out to feed on almost anything that contains water, yet for some reason, this year our hostas are surviving.
Where : Abbs Road, Gibsons
When : August 4th, 2010
There have been a lot of deer about this year, a week later we watched as a mother and baby strolled lazily around our back yard, stopping at various plants to take a nibble. It appears that the hot weather is drawing them out to feed on almost anything that contains water, yet for some reason, this year our hostas are surviving.
Where : Abbs Road, Gibsons
When : August 4th, 2010
Bird on the Wire
The walk past the new development at Chamberlin was filled with ducking and diving by quite a large group of tree swallows feeding on insects, impossible to photograph in flight. It was a hot August day and one kindly rested on the hydro wires for the cameraman to snap it's portrait.
Where : Vista Ridge, Gibsons
When : August 4th, 2010
Where : Vista Ridge, Gibsons
When : August 4th, 2010
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